There are many types of specially designed hearing protection that guard your ears by reducing most loud sound to an acceptable level—below 85 decibels. Hearing protection decrease the intensity of the sound that reaches your inner ear. The best hearing protection is the type you will wear correctly the entire time you are around excessive noise.
Hearing protection is no different from any other safety equipment—you need the right equipment for the right situation. If hearing protection is not appropriate for the work being done, they will not protect your hearing.
Hearing Protection Types:
- Approved employer hearing protection devices
- Protective head phones
- Over-the-counter products (earplugs and head muffs)
- Custom earmolds
Be aware of noises around you. Wear hearing protection whenever you are around sustained noisy environments. If you cannot hear or be heard by someone within 3 feet of you because of noise, it is loud enough to damage your hearing.
Examples of times to wear hearing protection include:
- Lawn mowing
- Concerts
- Fireworks displays
- Operating machinery
- Any loud, noisy environment